As Fla.'s former inmates regain voting rights, lessons of forgiveness must resonate

The right to vote was restored for most Florida felons as of Tuesday, increasing the pool of eligible voters by as many as 1.4 million people in a battleground state infamous for its narrow margins in key elections (Jan. 8)
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Amendment becomes law on Tuesday. Its passage exemplifies values of faith and democracy: Christian Coalition of America

In this Oct. 22, 2018 photo, people gather around the Ben & Jerry's "Yes on 4" truck as they learn about Amendment 4 and eat free ice cream at Charles Hadley Park in Miami.(Photo: Wilfredo Lee/AP)

With the passage of Amendment 4, Floridians from all walks of life and all political persuasions rose above partisan politics and restored voting rights to 1.5 million of their fellow citizens who had been incarcerated and had paid their debt to society.

The amendment passed with millions of votes (64 percent of voters approved it), representing the very best of the state, showing the true spirit of forgiveness and demonstrating common sense.

On Tuesday, Amendment 4 became law. And election supervisors in every county will spend today registering everyday Floridians: neighbors, military vets, fellow congregants. Some of them have waited decades to be able to join us in having a voice in our democracy.

In reflecting on this historic victory and thinking about the path forward, Floridians should remember how they got here. They decided to put politics aside and unite around their basic values, beliefs and empathy for neighbors and friends. In some cases, it was their favorite pastor who made a mistake in his younger years. Maybe it was their favorite uncle who fought for this country, only to fall into despair and addiction upon his return. Sometimes, it was just a neighbor who exemplified the meaning of second chances and redemption.

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Former felon Desmond Meade and president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, right, celebrates with his wife Sheena as family members covered them with confetti after he registered to vote at the Supervisor of Elections office on Jan. 8, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. John Raoux/AP

Patricia Racz, left, looks on as her daughter, Erica Racz, registers to vote at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office on Tuesday, in Fort Myers, Fla. Ms. Racz is now able to register to vote for the first time after a new constitutional amendment took effect, which automatically restores voting rights to most people who have felonies on their record. Joe Raedle

Lance Wissinger, left, and Neil Volz hug after turning in their voter registration forms at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office in Fort Myers, Fla. Both with felony records, are now able to register to vote for the first time after Amendment 4 took effect, which automatically restores voting rights to most felons. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Pastor Wesley Tunstall praises God while addressing media at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office on Tuesday. Tunstall, a convicted felon, registered to vote on Tuesday, the first day that Amendment 4, which restores the right to vote for most felons, went into effect. Dan Wagner/AP

Lance Wissinger looks on as Pamela Volz prepares to kiss her husband Neil Volz before they walk to the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office to register to vote Tuesday, in Fort Myers, Fla. Joe Raedle

Convicted felons Daniel Torna (L) and Yraida Guanipa (R) share stories before heading in to the Miami-Dade County Elections Department to register to vote in Miami, Tuesday. Some 1.4 million people in Florida can begin registering to vote on Tuesday after the state's electorate ended a measure banning suffrage for people with felony convictions. RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images

State Attorney Aramis Ayala, right, celebrates with her husband David, a former felon, after he registered to vote at the Supervisor of Elections office Tuesday, in Orlando, Fla. Former felons in Florida began registering for elections on Tuesday, when an amendment that restores their voting rights went into effect. John Raoux/AP

Nubian Roberts from Florida Rights Restoration Coalition talks with Taunya Tyson, right, who just registered to vote in Jacksonville, Fla., Tuesday. Tyson lost her right to vote after a felony driving with a suspended license sentence in 2011. Bob Self/AP

Duval County Elections Office clerk Stephanie Mann helps Anthony Biggins fill out his voter registration paperwork for the first time in his life at the downtown office Tuesday, in Jacksonville, Fla. Biggins has never been able to vote as a result of being in and out of the legal system with convictions since he was 19 years old. Bob Self/AP

Former felon Desmond Meade and president of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, left, arrives with family members at the Supervisor of Elections office in Orlando, Fla., to register to vote, Tuesday. John Raoux/AP

Alan Rhyelle, left, shakes hands with Ron Turner, Supervisor of Elections, Sarasota County, as he registers to vote on Tuesday, in Sarasota, Fla. Rhyelle, a convicted felon, had his voting rights restored now that Amendment 4 is in effect. The referendum overturned a 150-year-old law that barred people with felony convictions from voting. Dan Wagner/AP

Erica Racz hugs her daughter after registering to vote at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office in Fort Myers, Florida. Racz was able to register to vote for the first time after a new constitutional amendment took effect, which automatically restores voting rights to most people who have felonies on their record. Joe Raedle

Clarence Singleton registers to vote at the Lee County Supervisor of Elections office in Fort Myers, Fla. Mr. Singleton is able to register to vote for the first time after his right to vote was taken away in 2008 as a new constitutional amendment took effect, which automatically restores voting rights to most people who have felonies on their record. Joe Raedle

The Christian Coalition of America is proud to have been an early supporter of Amendment 4 because we believe that redemption is a central part of the Christian faith. As a nation built on Christian values, we also believe that redemption should be a key part of our policy toward returning citizens.

We understand that when we restore voting eligibility to people who have paid their debt in full, they are less likely to reoffend. The more quickly returning citizens are reintegrated into society, the better it is for public safety, families and the economy.

We believe that Amendment 4 is a lesson for all of America on what can happen when people from all walks of life come together to fix what is broken.